Stratford teachers strike over fines

Members of teaching unions NUT and NASUWT were hammered by governors for taking action against pay and conditions by working to rule - like thousands of others around the nation.

They walked out at Stratford Academy in Newham for the first of a series of one-day strikes over the fines which they say have been "unfairly imposed" and must be withdrawn.

In a joint statement NUT and NASUWT said like many other teachers they "are making a stand against undertaking tasks which distract them from their core role of teaching, and which do not require their skills as qualified teachers."

They "have continued to prepare for and teach their lessons, mark and assess pupils' work and carry out all those tasks which, in their professional judgement, assist them in focusing on teaching and learning.

"All clubs and activities which teachers run voluntarily in their own time are continuing.

"Yet despite this, punitive financial deductions have been made from teachers' wages by the school governors.

"Not only has 15 per cent of their salary been cut but teachers have been subject to actions by the governors and school management which they have found grossly unprofessional, threatening and intimidating."

A NASUWT spokeswoman said this was the first strike action over this issue and it had not heard of any other school which has docked teachers' wages in this way.

Stratford head teacher Mr Andrew Seager had not responded to inquiries from the Star by the time of going to press.